The Merry Frinks (1934)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Alfred E. Green

Writers:

Gene Markey (story) and
Kathryn Scola (story) ...

Release Date:

26 May 1934 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot Keywords:

Radio | Dysfunctional Family | Boxing | Alcoholic | Gambler

Cast

Aline MacMahon	...	Hattie 'Mom' Frink
Guy Kibbee	...	Uncle Newt Frink
Hugh Herbert	...	Joe 'Poppa' Frink
Allen Jenkins	...	Emmett Frink
Helen Lowell	...	Amelia 'Grandma' Frink
Joan Wheeler	...	Lucille Frink
Frankie Darro	...	Norman Frink
Ivan Lebedeff	...	Ramon Alvarez
Harold Huber	...	Benny Lopez
Louise Beavers	...	Camille, Hattie's Maid
Maidel Turner	...	Mrs. Shinliver
Harry Beresford	...	Mr. J. Harold Brumby
Harry C. Bradley	...	Dr. Shinliver
James Bush	...	Oliver Gilfin
Charles Coleman	...	Witherspoon, Hattie's Butler

Also Known As:

Happy Family (UK)

Runtime:

68 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #2626-R, 3 September 1936 for re-release)

Company:

First National Pictures

Quotes:

Hattie 'Mom' Frink: You look to me like a married man - are you?
Benny Lopez: Well, you know how it is... gotta go through it once, like the measles, but i aint working at it now.

Soundtrack:

She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain When She Comes

one more self sacrificing mother

The great thing about this movie is that you will, if you watch it, see some of the busiest and best character actors of the 1930's Hollywood strut their stuff. Aline McMahon, Hugh Herbert (in a less than sympathetic role, unusual for him), Guy Kibbee, Allan Jenkins and Frankie Darro. Pay no attention to the plot, it just gets in the way of some of the finest bits of scenery chewing ever put on film. Jenkins, especially, is as loud, as obnoxious, and as hammy as you'll ever see him. At no time does he speak at a decibel level less than ear splitting. (He's a communist, you see, at a time when they didn't cart you off to jail for it). Here is Aline McMahon, a really fine actress, emoting to such a degree that it makes you want to cringe. And Frankie Darro, prancing around, shadow boxing, wearing his hat brim turned up (this, apparently, was meant to make you look tough, much as turning the brim sideways does today). Frankie's problem was that he looked as though he might weigh 83 pounds, if he wore lead boots. No, the plot (disfunctional family learns it lesson, eventually, and learns to appreciate Mother) isn't important here. The opportunity to see these folks certainly is, though.